Femicide trial in Muttenz: Ex-Miss finalist killed and dismembered

The trial begins on Monday in front of the Baselbieter criminal court in Muttenz Femicide trial: The now 44-year-old MR* is said to have killed his then 38-year-old wife, the former Miss Switzerland finalist KJ*, in February 2024 and then dismembered her body.

Last December, the Basel-Landschaft public prosecutor’s office completed its investigation and brought charges of murder and disturbing the peace of the dead. The most important questions and answers about the case:

Who was the victim?

The late KJ was a finalist in the 2007 Miss Switzerland pageant and once held the title of Miss Northwest Switzerland. The former model later became self-employed as a catwalk coach and was well connected in the Swiss fashion scene. Among other things, she maintained a friendship with the ex-Miss Switzerland Christa Rigozzi.

How did the love story begin?

MR, the son of a successful Bernese lawyer, married KJ in 2017. The couple lived together with their two daughters in a spacious single-family home with a view of the hills of Binningen. To the outside world, they led a seemingly flawless life – those around them often perceived them as the “perfect family”.

This image was also conveyed on social media: photos on the victim’s account always showed the family smiling, often together with their two small daughters. Just four weeks before her death, KJ published holiday pictures from a luxury hotel above Lake Lucerne that showed a snowy landscape.

What happened on February 13, 2024?

At midday on February 13, 2024, there was said to be a heated argument between the couple, who were already separated but still living together. According to the indictment, the reason was a conversation about the terms of their separation.

It was therefore not the first conflict. But on that day, MR is said to have made the decision to “get rid of and eliminate” his wife. He demanded sole custody of the children and refused to support his wife.

During the argument, he allegedly grabbed her by the neck and pushed her against a wall. He then strangled her. He is then said to have dismembered the body. A blender is also said to have played a role, according to the autopsy report.

What happened after that?

When KJ didn’t pick up her daughters from kindergarten as usual, her parents became suspicious. Her father went to the house, but MR said he didn’t know where his wife was. He is said to have behaved for hours as if nothing had happened. In the evening he cooked dinner, talked to his father-in-law and then put the children to bed.

During a later phone call between MR and the concerned mother-in-law, the victim’s father searched the house. In the basement he came across a black garbage bag with strands of blonde hair sticking out of it. He then ran into the street screaming and asked a passerby to alert the police.

How did MR react afterwards?

According to authorities, when he was arrested, MR appeared remarkably indifferent and emotionless. During police interrogation he finally admitted to dismembering his wife. He claimed self-defense and said KJ had attacked him with a knife.

However, a medical report does not support this representation. The accused has been in custody since his arrest two years ago. The judges assume that he specifically tried to cover up the crime.

According to the indictment, MR is said to have acted intentionally and consciously – out of a “selfish attitude and way of thinking that was characterized by a need for control, hurt feelings, a desire for revenge and violent anger.”

Although MR has basically confessed, the presumption of innocence applies until a final verdict is reached. The trial is scheduled to last five and a half days, with the verdict expected on May 13th.

* Editor’s name known

Karin Leuthold (kle), born in 1968, has been working for 20 Minuten since 2005 and is currently working at the news desk.